City Council members Thursday quietly passed a resolution that instructs Austin City Manager Marc Ott to “forward to Council any written communication received by the City Manager from the State of Texas, or any agency of the State of Texas, regarding offers or options to sell the City real property within two business days of […]
Planning
Posted inAustin, Development, Land Development Code, Planning
More questions raised about Austin micro units
It’s been a tough road for the micro unit ordinance, and so far this week hasn’t been any easier. While City Council passed a micro unit ordinance on first reading Oct. 16, at its most recent work session, it was clear that questions about the proposition remain. Many of those questions came from Council Member […]
Posted inDevelopment, Planning
Neighbors lose fight against Lightsey plan
As an illustration of how heated the discussion about the South Austin Lightsey 2 project has become, Planning and Development Review Department Director Greg Guernsey opened the meeting by clarifying that his staff had not taken graft and that he found the suggestion “repulsive.” Typically, commissioners have little discretion when voting on preliminary plans that […]
Posted inDevelopment, Planning
City staff calls for Convention Center expansion
A memo from City of Austin Real Estate Services Officer Lauraine Rizer to Austin City Council members and Mayor Lee Leffingwell notes that there is “solid evidence for the need to expand the Convention Center.” And to do it, Rizer is calling on the city to acquire a section of downtown known as Block 8. […]
Posted inAustin, City Hall, Development, Planning
Bankruptcy scuttles Apple’s Arizona operations
PHOENIX — A multimillion-dollar deal put together last year for Apple to manufacture sapphire glass components in a suburban Phoenix factory has unraveled after Apple’s partner in the venture unexpectedly filed bankruptcy Oct. 6, according to court papers. Austin and Phoenix were in direct competition in September 2013 for the operation, which was projected to […]
Posted inDevelopment, Planning
Council delays vote to choose CodeNEXT process
After listening to opinions from staff, consultants and members of the public about how to move forward with the CodeNEXT process, City Council voted at a public hearing Thursday to keep all options on the table until it reopens the hearing and considers a decision at its Nov. 6 meeting. In order for staff to continue with […]
Posted inCity Council, Environment, Planning
Council to implement Lake Austin Task Force’s recommendations
Fresh off a presentation from the Lake Austin Task Force, Council members are set Thursday to consider a directive to City Manager Marc Ott that would be the first step in implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. While some Council members expressed concerns at Tuesday’s work session over the ideas, they appeared ready to move […]